Down and Out!

Can you & husband somehow swap nights of "duty"? Sometimes O. intolerable night is easier to accept if you know you will be "the sleeper" the next might! Just a suggestion. Hang in there. The tooth (teeth) will break through and he'll be back to his sweet self soon.

I felt like that yesterday!

Are you PMS'ing???
That is my "problem" coupled with the everyday crazy Mom stuff I do ALL day 24/7, and no time off. NO time off. I feel like a Hamster on those running-wheel things. Literally.
I get bitchy too, and quite irritable.
I have 2 kids.... 4 and 7 years old.

I take Hyland's Calms Forte for adults. (for myself).
It helps me.
It is homeopathic, and safe and non-habit forming.
You can get it at any natural food store or Whole Foods too.

You are normal.
My Hubby though, does not understand... being dense. LOL
So that is even MORE irritating... when I am feeling this way... because I get no validation.

Does your Hubby HELP you with baby and the household?
If not, then he SHOULD. That is his baby too and his house too.

all the best,
Susan

Teething is rough, but no baby/toddler ever died from it. You can only do so much, the more you cater to him while he is behaving in this mannor, the worse he will become. Get daddy in there to help you. Wrap some crushed ice in a hankie and tie it off with a rubber bans and let him chew on it, all 3 of my children loved this during teething, they got all wet, but hey it's hot, make him as comfortable as you can, but take care of you too, and your time you need for you, in order to be a good wife and mother, sweetie you need it. I hope this helped. J.

Poor thing, raising kids is the toughest thing any woman can do. Things change as kids grow (not that they get easier), so I have traded the stress of sleepless nights (although I still get up once a night for a quick trip to the potty with my DS who will be 5 yo next week) for the stress of social interactions/acceptance (which keeps me up worrying at night). While my DD (who is 2 yo 3 mo) has been sleeping thru the night for about a year (12-13 hours), but took over a year to do it (she would wake every 3 hours for the first year of her life). It does add up and lack of sleep does have a cumulative effect not only on your body, but also on your mind and mood. Although you may think you can't add another thing to your life, I found that when I started to exercise I felt less stressed (Both at work and at home) and feel like I have more energy (note I will never say stress free as that will not happen as long as I have kids). It does take time for these benefits to happen and to get into a routine, but you will feel better about yourself, it is a good outlet you get out your aggression and it gives you some "me time". Good luck and hope things work out.

I think all moms feel like this! If you don't already take a liquid vitamin/mineral suppliment, check this out: http://www.YummyLiquidVitamins.com My hubby and I have been taking it for months and have really noticed a difference for the better. Good luck to you!

Have you tried Teething Tablets? They are homeopathic, manufactured by Hyland and can be found in most drug stores and probably Wal Mart. They helped both of my children.

Been there done that! My son didn't sleep through the night until he was 13 months old. Those were tough days - and nights!!! One thing that's very easy to overlook is the role stress plays in our lives and it can certainly affect our sleep. You have a demanding full time job, a toddler, a marriage - that's a lot to juggle. Give yourself a breather and if you can, find a little humor in that you are acting and feeling like a b*@! lately. It's ok. It really is just a signal (albeit a noisy one!) that things are out of kilter. So don't beat yourself up for it. It serves no purpose. - My father used to say to me after another looong night - 'it won't last forever.' He knew it didn't change what was happening in terms of lack of sleep, but his wise words did help me keep things in perspective and that found a way in that soothed me somehow. I guess I knew he cared and had been through it too with a very colicky me!!

It sounds like the major problem is the teething so I would scout out all the resources you can to help your son with that. No wonder he is CRANKY!! I know that just orajel or anbesol worked for my kids and there are those plastic teething rings that can be refrigerated. Cold wash cloths. The little guy hurts. Search! (You are.) Can you and your hubby take turns at night so one of you can at least get a full night's sleep? Or take turns napping on the weekends. Find some time to sleep if you can.

And lastly, appreciate you're doing your very best. Good parenting is the toughest job there is - and the most rewarding as well. Good luck!

This is me ALL THE TIME...and I have come to learn after 3.5 years with my child that I NEED SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!! I need stress relief and a break from it all OR ELSE I am a disaster....which leads to me being nasty, impatient, argumentative and eventually depressed. I work full time - my job is not demanding in my opinion but I DO HAVE TO BE HERE and do it. So it is demanding in that sense. You need a break! I especially notice that I am like this when I am PMSing...I guarantee if you take a break and GET SOME REST you will feel better! I used to think it would get easier over time and in some ways it does, but then I realized that the more I push myself the worse it is...our children are not going away so the lack of sleep is always there...you have to rest, you have to let go of something right now while you son is having a difficult time so that you can tend to him and then tend to yourself..then when he's doing better you can take on more responsibility again. I have no issues with letting "unimportant" things slide...I used to put more pressure on myself and stay up late to get everything done but I realized that is not the right way to do it. The baby is difficult to manage b/c he KNOWS how you are feeling. My son is the worst when I am the worst. I am in the middle of one of those situation right now and after spending some very good time with him this weekend and resting and relaxing I feel GREAT today (for now - LOL!) I am tired but not exhausted. BELIEVE me - I know how quickly everyting can go downhill when I AM NOT AT MY BEST or at least at a good close second to my best...You are so not alone. What you need to do is take some time to yourself and REST...then you can give 100% to your baby/family, then your job, then everything else...

Stress is a killer and it sounds like you have a lot of it right now! Talk to your husband, change your routine and try to go to bed earlier (even if it means sacrificing your favorite TV programs). I had to tell my husband that if he ever wanted to "get lucky" again, we had to go to bed by 10 - normally I would go at 11 or 11:30. After having my daughter, bed time was just that, time to SLEEP!!!!! Also, talk to him about sharing the burden of care. It took both of you to create your son, it will take both of you to care for him (no matter what hour of the day). Let him know that you are on the verge of having a breakdown (OK - maybe a little melodramatic) and that you really need a lot more support from him right now, it's ok to say you can't handle everything, we don't need to be SuperMom.

Also, if you are on a hormonal BC, you might want to try changing brands or birth control methods. I was on depo provera after having my daughter and it really messed me up. I went off it on my own, but that didn't straighten my hormones back out, it wasn't until I went on the pill for a few months that I returned to "normal". When you come out of a depression, it's amazing to feel how much better the world is, and to realize how low you really felt - you'll still have all the stress and good days and bad days, but your coping mechanism will be so much better and you'll feel happiness and joy and it will feel "real". If you are not on any hormonal birth control and you don't feel better after your son gets through his teething and with getting your hubby to take on more of the workload, you may want to talk to someone about depression. Exhaustion definitely plays a huge part in it, but if you improve that as much as you can and you don't feel a change after a couple of weeks, you may need a little (probably temporary) help.

As far as the teething goes, my daughter's early teeth came in quickly and with no problems other than a constant stream of drool :) When it came to her molars, these hurt her, plus it gave her diarrhea and horrible diaper rash in addition to the teething pain. You will all get through it, but it may not be pleasant. Good luck!

Of course your are cranky and discouraged on so little sleep! Work out a schedule with your husband (or others close to you) so you can get a chance to catch up on your sleep on weekends at least.
Hylands teething tablets and mortin work well when my kids are teething. Give both at bedtime and nap time at least and up to the recommended dose on the worst days (usually only a few days or a week at most). If you go to bed as your child's medicine is wearing off you can usually give a dose without the child fully waking up (at least with practice) and prevent them disturbing your sleep later.

We all get overwhelmed sometimes. I had that type of experience more often when my kids were very small and helpless. It gets easier as they start being able to dress and feed themsleves and listen to reason. But try to attack the symptoms head on and it will become more manageable. It sounds like you really need a nap! It helps alot to have a good support system in place. It's helped me to start working out. I take the kids with me and leave them in the daycare area of the gym. I used to feel guilty about doing that because I hadn't seen them all day, but they love it. And I get that endorphin high and get my frustrations out on the treadmill. I think it's made me a more patient mom. They say excercising 3 times a week can help people going through mild depression, so, it's got to be good for your mood!

You're not alone. I, too, went through this and it will pass shortly.
Be sure to get a break yourself when you can (even 15 or 30 mins per day will help).
Give him something to help with his teething (infant Tylenol etc an hour before bedtime) to help him sleep better and to help manage the pain. I did it an hour before bed time so I could make sure he was okay.
I assure you this to shall pass. I would pick him up and give him a bottle of milk sometimes and he found comfort in me holding him. I know it's hard but this too shall pass.

Try a combination of Infant Motrin and Hyland teeth tablets. The Hyland teething tablets can help him relax and relieve the pain while Infant Motrin (generic is fine) with bring down the swelling which will in turn relieve some of the pressure. I did this with my kids when they were cutting troublesome teeth. Give just before putting him to bed and the Advil should work for 6 to 8 hours. This may allow you to get some sleep.

You are not alone!!! Lack of sleep is s killer to a good attitude! I know my 1 year old still gets up every 3 hours and last night would NOT sleep in her bed so I spent most of the night putting her back to sleep and then listening to her cry praying she would go back to sleep!

As for the total exhaustion. It sounds like you are "burning the candle at too many ends" but if you find you are still struggling after your LO starts sleeping better again go see your doctor and have your thyroid checked just to be sure. Having an over or underactive thyroid can make you miserable too and it is often misdiagnost as lack of sleep from kids! If it is too low or high it is an easy fix and one tht will make a world of difference for you and those around you! God Bless!

You're feelings and bitchiness are totally justified. Try to keep it under control as much as you can, but we all have our days. I know some may not agree with this, but I don't care and my doc was fine with it. I had twins (now 9 yo's) and literally as one got done getting the teeth in the other started and to this day as for losing and getting new ones, it's still the same. During that teething time my kids were on Tylenol or Motrin alot. Alternate them. As long as you give exactly the amount you should and don't over medicate, it's not going to hurt them in any way and it makes you feel like your a more sane person.

my toddler has been teething too and is not happy! sometimes giving him some ice water in a sippy cup helps because it numbs his gums

Hi.. They have homeopathic teething tablets that are ALL NATURAL that you can give your son for the molars, OUCHY! I f you put him to bed every night at the same time, try this routine: A warm bath, or a warm wash cloth wipe down. Gently with the warm cloth wipe behind his ears, and play soft music if you have any. Follow this with a bedtime story, and some warm milk. Your son will fall asleep immediatley, and stay asleep, it works everytime. Take care,and get some rest...:)

You aren't alone. Has he been high maintenance from birth or just recently? I am a full time working mother also with a demanding job. I have gone to work on little or no sleep too. We have a 2 and a half year old and now a new baby. My toddler is very difficult and goes through crying episodes at night if he doesn't want to go down or has a runny nose. I hope it gets better. It is hard on your marriage because my toddler only wants me to console him. My husband is a stay at home dad and I try to give him a break at night. But then I do double duty home/job. It is hard. I can't wait till we can move past this but then they will be older and we will be sad they aren't little again. All seems like a double edge sword. I wish I had more suggestions for you. Keep working with him.

Hugs, I know it's very rough sometimes. I'll tell you, there were times when my kids were young and I would take an occasional sick day to stay home and catch up on sleep while they were at daycare, if you can take one and do that during this rough patch, go for it. It's also okay, even when we work, to get a babysitter or grandparent to watch them for a few hours on a weekend to get a good nap in, or a lunch out and a walk with your husband. Make some time for you - either to do something with a girlfriend or alone - a walk, a swim, a cup of tea or coffee. My husband used to laugh when he'd ask what I wanted for my bday or mothers day and I'd tell him a night at a hotel, alone. I was serious!
I hope things are going better for you soon